This Turkey White Chili Recipe is a lighter and comforting recipe, which is made with a unique blend of cubed turkey breast and ground turkey. It’s a flavorful twist on classic chili, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Turkey White Chili Recipe Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 pound boneless skinless turkey breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon dried savory
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Optional: Shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sliced red onion for serving
How To Make Turkey White Chili Recipe
- Sauté aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer until fragrant.
- Bloom the cumin: Stir in the ground cumin and cook for 5 minutes. Cooking the spice in the oil helps deepen its earthy flavor before adding the meat.
- Brown the turkey: Add the cubed turkey breast and the ground turkey to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently to break the ground turkey into crumbles, until the meat is no longer pink.
- Simmer the chili: Pour in the chicken broth. Add the rinsed garbanzo beans, minced jalapeno, dried marjoram, and dried savory. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Thicken and finish: Uncover the pot and cook for 15 minutes more to allow some liquid to evaporate. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Stir this into the chili. Bring the chili back to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until the liquid has slightly thickened and turned glossy.
- Serve: Ladle the hot chili into bowls. If desired, serve garnished with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sliced red onion.
Recipe Tips
- Two Textures of Turkey: Using both cubed breast meat and ground turkey provides a fantastic texture contrast—meaty chunks alongside savory crumbles—that makes this chili satisfying without being heavy.
- Why Garbanzo Beans? While white chili often uses Great Northern or Cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) hold their shape incredibly well during a long simmer and add a nutty flavor.
- Blooming Spices: Don’t rush step 2. Cooking the cumin in the oil/onion mixture is a technique called “blooming,” which releases essential oils and prevents the spice from tasting raw or dusty in the final dish.
- Jalapeno Heat: To control the spice level, remove the seeds and white ribs from the jalapeno before mincing for a milder chili, or leave them in for extra heat.
What To Serve With Turkey White Chili
This white chili pairs well with lighter sides than a traditional beef chili.
- Cornbread: A slice of sweet cornbread balances the savory spices.
- Avocado: Slices of avocado or guacamole add creaminess.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the flavors.
- Tortilla Chips: For dipping or crushing on top.
How To Store Turkey White Chili Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld and improve overnight.
- Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if it has become too thick.
- Freeze: This chili freezes very well. Store in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Turkey White Chili Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 288
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
- Sodium: 635mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 29g
Nutrition information is estimated per 1 cup serving.
FAQs
Can I use white beans instead of chickpeas?
Yes, absolutely. Great Northern beans, Navy beans, or Cannellini beans are traditional choices for white chili and work perfectly here if you prefer a softer bean texture.
What is savory?
Savory is an herb with a peppery flavor, similar to thyme. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with dried thyme or just add a little more marjoram.
Can I use leftover turkey?
Yes. If using leftover cooked turkey (like from Thanksgiving), add the cubed meat at step 4 with the broth instead of browning it with the raw ground turkey. You will still need to brown the ground turkey first.
Turkey White Chili Recipe
Description
A unique and protein-packed white chili featuring two types of turkey and nutty garbanzo beans, simmered with cumin and mild green chiles.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté onion in oil (5 mins). Add garlic (1 min).
- Stir in cumin; cook 5 minutes.
- Add cubed and ground turkey; brown until cooked through.
- Add broth, beans, jalapeno, and herbs. Boil, cover, and simmer 45 mins.
- Uncover and cook 15 mins.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry; boil 2 minutes to thicken.
- Serve with cheese and onions.
Notes
- Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
- Consistency: The cornstarch provides a slightly glossy, thickened broth characteristic of white chili, distinct from tomato-based versions.
- Turkey: Keep the turkey breast cubes uniform (1 inch) so they cook evenly with the ground meat.
Turkey White Chili Recipe
